If your kitchen has been damaged by a flood, fire, or other insured event, you might be wondering whether your home insurance will pay for a temporary kitchen while repairs are carried out. The short answer: yes, in many cases it will — but it depends on your policy and how you go about it.
When Insurance Typically Covers Temporary Kitchen Hire
Most home insurance policies include some form of "alternative accommodation" or "loss of use" cover. This is designed to help you maintain a reasonable standard of living while your home is being repaired after an insured event.
Temporary kitchen hire is commonly covered when the damage is caused by:
- Flood or water damage (burst pipes, storm flooding)
- Fire or smoke damage
- Subsidence affecting the kitchen area
- Impact damage (e.g. a vehicle hitting your property)
- Storm damage to the kitchen structure
It is not typically covered when:
- You're renovating by choice (planned kitchen refurbishment)
- The damage is due to wear and tear or gradual deterioration
- You don't have loss of use / alternative accommodation cover on your policy
- The claim is below your excess
What "Loss of Use" Cover Actually Means
Loss of use cover is the part of your policy that pays for the additional costs you incur because you can't use part of your home normally. This can include:
- Temporary kitchen hire
- Increased takeaway or eating-out costs
- Hotel or temporary accommodation costs
- Storage of belongings
The key word is "additional" — insurers will pay for costs above what you'd normally spend. If you'd normally spend £50 per week on cooking utilities and a temporary kitchen costs £350 per week, the insurer covers the difference.
In practice, most insurers pay the full hire cost of a temporary kitchen because it's significantly cheaper than putting a family in a hotel or serviced apartment.
How to Make a Claim for Temporary Kitchen Hire
Step 1: Report the Damage to Your Insurer
Contact your insurer as soon as the damage occurs. Report the incident and mention that you'll need a temporary kitchen while repairs are carried out. The sooner you report, the faster the claim moves.
Step 2: Get an Insurer-Approved Quote
This is the most important step. Many insurers have a list of approved suppliers or will want to see quotes from providers who work with insurance companies. Some providers specialise in insurance work and can:
- Provide quotes in the format insurers expect
- Deal with the insurer directly on your behalf
- Invoice the insurance company rather than you
- Provide documentation for your claim file
Providers like Temporary Solutions Group, Kitchen Rescue, and several others on FindAKitchen are experienced in insurance claims.
Step 3: Get Written Approval Before Hiring
Before you commit to hiring a temporary kitchen, get written confirmation from your insurer that they'll cover the cost. This is usually a simple email or letter from your claims handler. Without this, you risk paying out of pocket and having to claim back later — which can be slow and uncertain.
Step 4: Keep Records
Throughout the process, keep copies of:
- Your insurer's written approval
- The hire agreement and invoices
- Photos of the damage and the temporary kitchen in situ
- Any correspondence with providers
Which Providers Are Insurance-Ready?
Not all temporary kitchen providers work with insurers. The ones that do typically:
- Understand the claims process and timelines
- Can provide quotes in a format acceptable to loss adjusters
- Will invoice the insurer directly (so you don't pay upfront)
- Have experience with insurance-funded hires and can advise on what's likely to be approved
- Offer flexible hire periods (insurance repairs often overrun)
On FindAKitchen, you can filter providers by "Insurance-ready" to see only those who work with insurance companies.
What Insurers Typically Pay For
Based on real claims, here's what insurers usually cover and what they don't:
Usually Covered
- Hire cost of the temporary kitchen unit
- Delivery and collection charges
- Utility connections (electric, water, gas)
- Hire extension if repairs take longer than expected
Sometimes Covered (Depends on Policy)
- Premium unit upgrades (e.g. larger pod than strictly necessary)
- Servicing and maintenance during the hire
- Groundwork or site preparation costs
Rarely Covered
- Cosmetic upgrades to your permanent kitchen (unrelated to the original damage)
- Temporary kitchens for areas of the home not affected by the insured event
- Hire that started before the claim was approved
How Long Does an Insurance-Funded Hire Typically Last?
The average insurance-funded temporary kitchen hire lasts between 8 and 16 weeks. However, this varies enormously depending on:
- The extent of the damage
- The availability of contractors for repairs
- The complexity of the rebuild (structural work takes longer)
- Supply chain delays for replacement kitchen units and appliances
Good providers build flexibility into their hire agreements for insurance clients, allowing you to extend week by week without penalty.
Tips for a Smooth Insurance Claim
- Tell your insurer early that you want a temporary kitchen rather than a hotel. It's almost always cheaper for them, so they're usually happy to agree.
- Use an insurance-experienced provider. They know what documentation insurers need and can speed up the approval process.
- Don't hire before you have written approval. Verbal agreements aren't enough — get it in writing.
- Ask your provider to invoice the insurer directly. This avoids you paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement.
- Build in buffer time. Kitchen renovations after damage almost always take longer than the initial estimate. Set the hire period for longer than you think you'll need — you can always end early.
Next Steps
If you're dealing with kitchen damage and think you might need a temporary kitchen, start by browsing insurance-ready providers on FindAKitchen. You can compare options, check coverage areas, and request quotes that your insurer will accept.
See our full guide to temporary kitchen hire for insurance claims including a comparison of insurance-ready providers.
Related: Temporary Kitchen Hire for Insurance Claims | Loss Adjuster Referral Service